“I’ve always been an opportunist,” he stated, easing against the back of the stool. “When I married their mother, I thought I could help her run these resorts. I wasn’t quite in the financial position I am now, and I needed a leg up.”
Harper snorted. “So you took advantage of a single mother.”
“Opportunist,” he repeated. “When she passed away, I felt it my duty to take over. The boys weren’t old enough to run anything. Hell, they were still in high school.”
Harper listened to him justify his actions.
“Why did you hire me for this renovation project?” she asked. “I mean, you barely know me. You toss a few hours of your time my way each year. Even though I’m always trying to reach out and forge a relationship. And don’t say the olive branch. I don’t believe it.”
He stared at her another moment and sighed. “My assistant looked over the portfolio you sent, and she said your designs were fresh and new and exactly what Mirage needed. I agreed because you are my daughter.”
Harper hated to ask, but she had to know. “Did you even look at what I sent? Do you even care, or were you just going to throw the money at me when I got done?”
“I didn’t look at them,” he confirmed. “But I trust the judgment of my assistant, otherwise she wouldn’t work for me.”
Harper’s heart sank. She’d already known he hadn’t hired her out of affection or a genuine wish to see her succeed in the business that meant so much to her. But now she realized he hadn’t even hired her because he thought she was talented or because he loved her ideas. He hadn’t even taken the time to look at a few images...images she’d painstakingly poured herself into for each space of this resort. She’d lost sleep, she’d shed tears, all because she wanted everything to be perfect for Robert and his property.
“Get out.”
Robert jerked at her command, and she had to admit the steeliness to her tone shocked her, as well.
“You need tougher skin,” he replied. “If every little thing hurts your feelings—”
“Little things?” she repeated. “Hurt feelings? You don’t know a damn thing about feelings, so don’t attempt to lecture me on mine.”
When he remained still, she jerked her finger toward the elevator. “Get. Out. We’re done here.”
Robert’s lips thinned. “You won’t make it in the business world if you keep those emotions on your sleeve.”
“Yeah, well, from the sound of things you’re not going to make it much longer, and you’ve had yours closed off for decades. So I’ll take my chances and be human.”
He stared another second, and she thought he’d toss out another nasty remark, but he ultimately turned on his heel and got on the elevator.
Once Harper was alone, she took two shaky steps to the nearest bar stool and slid up onto the metal. Crossing her arms on the bar top, he laid her head down and finally wept.
She couldn’t hold the pain in any longer. She had no clue what move to make next. She had no clue how she would ever recover from this crushing blow.
All she knew was that her baby would need her to be strong, and Harper vowed to rise up from this setback and be stronger than ever.
And never let another man near her heart again.
* * *
“There you are.”
Ethan jerked up from the desk in Harper’s tiny office. He hadn’t realized he’d fallen asleep, but he blinked and focused on the person in the doorway.
“Dane?”
His twin glanced around the room and shook his head. “Rough night?”
Scrubbing his hands over his face, Ethan leaned back in the leather chair and sighed. Rough night didn’t cover it. He’d been tortured with his own thoughts, replaying his actions over and over, wondering at what point he could’ve prevented everything from falling apart, or if that had even been a possibility.
A woman stepped up from behind Dane and offered a sympathetic smile.
“You must be Stella,” Ethan stated. “I’d offer you guys a seat, but...”
The office had no spare furniture—it barely had room for this desk.